Merry CHRISTmas from Small Wonders

Wishing you all a Very Merry CHRISTmas.

Angel Ruby

Thank you all for your interest in our family and especially for your love and encouragement.
We have friends coming over today to share in Christmas baking, then off to Church for a candlelight service.
Tomorrow, we will be headed up to Mount Baker Ski Area with 4 other families to enjoy the sledding, then back to our house for feasting and friendship. Keeping it simple and purposed.
May your Christmas be filled with love and joy and peace.

Glass Mountain

Ian's Finished Ornament

 One of my Cub Scout moms generously donated a gift certificate to Glass Mountain, a local glass blowing studio. I jumped at the opportunity. Glass Blowing is something I have wanted to try for years!

 A lot goes into the making of a glass Christmas Ornament

 4 of my Bear Scouts were able to attend. Each boy got to make his own Christmas Ornament. They got to choose the colors, the style (swirl, solid, speckled, etc.,) and got to heat the glass and blow the glass. Mr Ed, the artist, was extremely patient with the boys and very careful, but not crazy paranoid (like I might be inclined to be).

Ian Absolutely Loved Glass Blowing

Have you ever tried to explain something to a group of 8 year old boys? I can tell you it is by God's great mercy that I am able to keep their attention for more than 3.8 minutes. Mr. Ed kept them eagerly awaiting every word that was spoken. He was very clear, entertaining, informative, and interesting!

Paul refines his ornament in the Glory Hole

 I don't know if it's because I am a child of the 80's, or maybe just juvenile in my humor, every time Mr. Ed referred to the Glory Hole I had to stifle a laugh. The Glory Hole (laugh) was where the glass was heated up and kept soft and pliable. They had to keep heating the glass, then shaping it, heating it, adding color, heating it, shaping it, heating it, blowing... You get the idea. This wasn't a quick process.

I love the Joy on his face

Glass Mountain offers classes to make your own ornament for $35. While I don't even spend $35 on anything if I can help it, this would totally (80's again) be worth it. The entire studio is a feast for your eyes. Beautiful beads, ornaments, flowers, vases everywhere. We were mesmerized by the beautiful unique pieces everywhere! However, I  cringe thinking of his poor wife paying the utility bills!

4 of my Bear Scouts with the master glass blower, Mr. Ed

I think I persuaded Sean to take a couples class and design something to make together.

Erik T, blowing his ornament

I am a tiny bit jealous that Ian got to try it before I did, however, I do have a new favorite ornament! I love that he can look at the ornament every year and remember this experience. I love that his ornament looks like a marble and has his current favorite colors.
I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity to create fun memories with my youngest son.

Speaking My Language

The blog has been conspicuously quiet lately. Usually that means that I am busy living life. Sometimes it means I an just trying to stay afloat. Occasionally it means I am really struggling. I would have to say that the past couple of months have been a combination of all three.

A Small Smattering of Treasures I received at The Gift of Time

In the busyness of life, my friend Kelly, treated me to a day. A day! I mean a whole day to take care of things I needed to take care of. I used this time to catch up with long time friends, work on some unfinished projects, organize my thoughts and make lists and plans for the next few months.
Kelly provided a fabulous lunch, treats (even a special treat just for me Take 5 candy bar) an entire box of delicious desserts for me to bring home to my husband, biscotti, gingerbread pancake mix, notes of encouragement, and so much more.
I think it was perfect timing to regroup and  prioritize what is important for our family. The next few weeks will be full of change for our school and our family to hopefully help things run more smoothly. I am already seeing some huge benefits from implementing a schedule change and dietary restrictions for several of the children.

My whole family is in love with Pioneer Woman

If you could question the amazingness of Kelly after the Gift of Time, she surprised me with "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" cookbook. Inside the front cover she wrote, "Just Because". Wow.
When I grow up, I want to think like she does, with such selfless love to her family and others. She remembers things about people (like my love of Take 5), she really listens, and gives from the bottom of her heart.
My entire family has a love affair with The Pioneer Woman. My oldest son wants to be adopted by her, my middle son wants to marry her, my youngest son wants us to take a family vacation to her house.My husband will smile and say, "Wow!" when I not so casually mention that I am serving a Pioneer Woman meal.  I actually like Ian's idea best because it doesn't take any of my boys away from me! I love her too! I love that her recipes are simple to follow, use ingredients I already have in my cupboard, and taste amazing! For an entire month all we ate were recipes from The Pioneer Woman.
I am blessed beyond measure.